USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Middleton > Town annual report of Middleton, MA. 1952 > Part 5
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Section 11. Whenever a water closet, privy, privy-vault, septic tank, cesspool, or drain becomes offensive or obstructed, the owner, agent or occupant of the premises shall cause the same to be cleaned and made free of obstructions or otherwise corrected.
. Section 12. Complaint of nuisances shall be made to the Board of Health in writing and signed by the complainant.
At a meeting held this fifteenth day of July, nineteen hundred fifty-two, these rules and regulations were adopted by the Board of Health, all members being present and voting.
WILBUR C. RUNDLETT, JR., Chairman
JAMES H. COFFIN HAROLD M. BISHOP
Attest:
Elmer P. Morrill, Clerk
July 15th, 1952
August 7, 1952
99
PUBLIC WELFARE AND OLD AGE ASSISTANCE
BOARD OF PUBLIC WELFARE REPORT BUREAU OF OLD AGE ASSISTANCE REPORT
Report to the Town of Middleton for the year ending December 31, 1952.
GENERAL RELIEF:
Unsettled State
1 case
6 persons
Outside Cities and Towns
6 cases
15 persons
Middleton
4 cases
10 persons
Child Guardianship
2 cases
2 persons
State Infirmary
1 case
1 person
AID TO DEPENDENT CHILDREN:
(No settlement laws in A.D.C.)
5 cases
13 persons
DISABILITY ASSISTANCE:
(No settlement laws in D.A.)
no cases
OLD AGE ASSISTANCE:
Unsettled State
9 cases
Outside cases
11 cases
Middleton
36 cases
Effective October 1, 1952 Federal participation in all Federal categories of assistance increased. We expect that the more liberal provisions of the law will reflect themselves as a decrease in the total cost to the Town of Middleton in the year 1953.
Respectfully submitted,
ALEXANDER FRASER, Chairman CHARLES PASQUALE LEYLAND PHILLIPS, Clerk
100
STATE AUDIT
STATE AUDIT
THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS DEPARTMENT OF CORPORATIONS AND TAXATION
Division of Accounts State House, Boston 33
Henry F. Long, Commissioner Francis X. Lang, Dir. of Accounts
November 5, 1952
To the Board of Selectmen
Mr. Wilbur C. Rundlett, Chairman Middleton, Massachusetts
Gentlemen:
I submit herewith my report of an audit of the books and accounts of the town of Middleton for the period from January 1, 1951 to July 19, 1952, made in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 44, General Laws. This is in the form of a report made to me by Mr. Herman B. Dine, Asistant Director of Accounts.
Very truly yours,
FRANCIS X. LANG, Director of Accounts
FXL:GBS
Mr. Francis X. Lang
Director of Accounts Department of Corporations and Taxation State House, Boston
Sir: As directed by you, I have made an audit of the books and accounts of the town of Middleton for the period from January 1, 1951 to July 19, 1952, and submit the following report thereon:
101
STATE AUDIT
The records of financial transactions of the several departments receiving or disbursing money for the town were examined and checked with the records of the town treasurer and the town account- ant.
The books and accounts of the town accountant were examined. The ledger accounts were analyzed, the receipts as recorded were checked with the treasurer's record of receipts, the payments were compared with the treasury warrants approved by the board of selectmen, and the appropriation ledger accounts were checked with the appropriations and transfers voted by the town as listed from the town clerk's record of town meetings. The ledger record of depart- mental accounts receivable was checked with the records of the several departments committing the bills and with the treasurer's books, and a balance sheet, which is appended to this report, was prepared showing the financial condition of the town on July 19, 1952.
It was noted that, although the special town meeting of June 26, 1951 voted the sum of $9,472.00 from the Post-War Rehabilitation Fund to the School Building Committee, the actual amount transferred was $10,8888.18, the excess transfer of $1,416.18, consisting of ac- cumulated income, being found to be partly expended on the audit date.
The books and accounts of the town treasurer were examined. The recorded receipts were analyzed and checked with the records of the departments making payments to the treasury and with the other sources from which money was paid into the town treasury. The expenditures were compared with the treasury warrants approved by the board of selectmen, and the cash balance on July 19, 1952 was proved by reconciliation of the bank balances with statements fur- nished by the banks of deposit, by inspection of the savings bank book and securities, and by actual count of the cash in the office.
The payments on account of debt and interest were proved by comparison with the amounts of debt matured and with the cancelled securities and coupons on file.
The savings bank books and securities representing the invest- ment of the trust funds in the custody of the town treasurer, the library trustees, and the Naumkeag Trust Company were examined and listed, the income being proved and the expenditures and transfers to the town being verified.
The payroll deductions for federal taxes, the county retirement system and Blue Cross were listed and checked with the treasurer's record of receipts, the payments to the Collector of Internal Revenue, the county treasurer, and the Massachusetts Hospital Service, Inc., were verified, and the balances of deductions in the general treasury on July 19, 1952 were listed and proved with the accounant's ledger.
102
STATE AUDIT
The records of tax titles and tax possessions held by the town were examined and checked in detail. The amounts added to the tax title account were compared with the tax collector's records and with the accountant's books, the reported redemptions and sales were checked with the treasurer's cash book, and the tax titles and tax possessions on hand were listed, proved, and checked with the records at the Registry of Deeds.
The books and accounts of the tax collector were examined and checked. The tax and motor vehicle and trailer excise accounts out- standing at the time of the previous examination and all subsequent commitments were audited and reconciled with the assessors' war- rants. The recorded collections were compared with the payments to the treasurer, the recorded abatements were proved with the assessors' record of abatements granted, and the outstanding accounts were listed and reconciled with the respective controlling accounts in the accountant's ledger.
The financial transactions of the town clerk were examined. The receipts for dog and sporting licenses were checked with the record of licenses issued, and the payments to the Division of Fisheries and Game and the town treasurer were verified.
The surety bonds on file for the several town officials for the faithful performance of their duties were examined and found to be in proper form.
The books and accounts of the treasurer of the Central Essex Welfare District were examined and checked. The amounts received for the expenses of the district from the towns of Middlton, Boxford, and Topsfield, which comprise the district, together with the federal and state grants, etc., were verified. The disbursements were checked with the approved bills authorizing the treasurer to disburse district funds, and the cash balance on July 31, 1952 was proved by reconcilia- tion of the bank balance with a statement furnished by the bank of deposit.
The books and accounts of the municipal light department were examined and checked. The commitments were analyzed, the payments to the treasurer were compared with the treasurer's cash book, the discounts and abatements were cerified, and the outstanding accounts were listed and reconciled with the accountant's control accounts.
Verification of the outstanding tax, motor vehicle and trailer excise, departmental, and municipal light accounts was made by mail- ing notices to a number of persons whose names appeared on the books as owing money to the town, the replies thereto indicating that the accounts, as listed, are correct.
103
STATE AUDIT
The records of receipts of the board of selectmen, the sealer of weights and measures, the building inspector, and of the school and cemetery departments, as well as of all other departments collecting money for the town, were examined and checked, and the payments to the treasurer were verified.
In addition to the balance sheet, there are appended to this report tables showing a reconciliation of the treasurer's and the town clerk's cash, summaries of the tax, motor vehicle and trailer excise, tax title, tax possession, departmental, and municipal light accounts, as well as schedules showing the trust and investment fund transactions.
During the progress of the audit cooperation was received from the several officials, for which, on behalf of my assistants and for myself, I wish to express appreciation.
Respectfully submitted,
HBD:GBS
HERMAN B. DINE, Assistant Director of Accounts
104
RECOMMENDATIONS FINANCE COMMITTEE
Report of the Finance Committee For the Town of Middleton
Upon the Warrant
For the Annual Meeting to be held March 10, 1953
To the Voters of the Town of Middleton:
Your Finance Committee has held several meetings with the various department heads and also an open meeting with the voters of the Town on February 3, 1952, for the purpose of discussing the budget for this year.
The recommendations of the committee, which you will find detailed under the various Articles of the Warrant, were made only after lengthy studies of the requested departmental budgets, and they represent what the committee feels are actually needed.
The following amounts were transferred from the Reserve Fund in 1952 and are included in the expenditures of the departments which rceived them.
1952 Appropriation-$1,500.00
Mar. 12, 1952
Appeal Board
$ 50.00
May 13, 1952
Planning Board
100.00
June 3, 1952
Board of Assessors
216.20
July 8, 1952
Tax Collector
183.30
Aug. 3, 1952
Cemetery Commissoners-
Storm Damage
150.00
Aug. 3, 1952
Planning Board
25.00
Aug. 3, 1952
Tree Warden, Storm Damage
600.00
Dec. 16, 1952
Cemetery Maintenance Fund
5.34
Dec. 16, 1952
Planning Board
17.50
Total Expended
$1,347.34
Transferred to Surplus Revenue
$152.66
In view of the fact that the purpose of the Reserve Fund is to forestall the need for special Town Meetings by having funds available to meet small unforeseen expenses, your Finance Committee has found it necessary to recommend that the Reserve Fund be increased to
105
RECOMMENDATIONS FINANCE COMMITTEE
$2500.00, the amount appropriated in 1951. Emergency funds needed to take care of storm damage last summer so depleted our fund that a special Town Meeting was required on December 30, 1952 to appropriate monies needed to close the Town books for the year. Had your committee the extra $1,000.00, there would have been no need for the meeting as far as the appropriations went.
We are encouraged by the requests of your Welfare Board for smaller appropriations to be expended in 1953. A department which spends close to 15% of our total budget must necessarily be headed by civic-minded citizens who watch their expenditures closely.
With the increased School budget, it becomes more apparent that we need a more equitable means of distributing the burden of such taxes. Whether or not extra revenue should be realized through the medium of minimum valuations for year round homes is an item that could be considered. The fact remains that we are faced with an ever increasing School budget, and at the same time, with a possible high school in the offing, the committee feels that the problem should be given serious consideration.
The committee takes this opportunity to thank Mr. Lew Bat- chelder for his valuable services while a member of this committee and to wish him every success in his new work.
The rest of this report we believe is self explanatory. We wish to express our thanks to the various department heads for their co- opration both in preparing their detailed budgets and in discussing them with us.
Respectfully submitted,
H. M. RICHARDSON, Chairman E. L. McINTIRE J. R. HILYARD R. T. SPERRY, Clerk
106
RECOMMENDATIONS FINANCE COMMITTEE
ARTICLE 1. To hear and act on committee reports.
No recommendation necessary.
ARTICLE 2. To hear and act on the report of the committee ap- pointed by the Moderator under Article 13 of the warrant of the annual Town Meeting of 1952, to find a suitable dumping location.
No recommendation necessary.
ARTICLE 3. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate the sum of $1,000.00 to purchase approximately 10 acres of swampland from H. K. Richardson and located adjacent to the property of the New England Power Co. for the purpose of a Public Dump.
The committee recommends that the sum of $1000.00 be raised and appropriated to purchase approximately 10 acres of swamp land.
ARTICLE 4. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate the sum of $1,200.00 to construct a road from Essex Street southeasterly along the right of way of the New England Power Co. to land of H. K. Richardson.
The committee recommends that the sum of $1,200.00 be raised and appropriated to construct a road from Essex Street to the proposed dump.
ARTICLE 5. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Town Treasurer, with the approval of the Selectmen, to borrow from time to time in anticipation of the revenue of the financial year beginning January 1, 1953, and to issue a note or notes therefor payable within one year, and to renew such note or notes as may be given for a period of less than one year in accordance with Chapter 44 Section 17 of the General Laws.
The committee recommends approval of this article.
ARTICLE 6. To see what action the Town will take to defray the Town Expenses.
The recommendations of the committee are set forth in Schedule A.
107
RECOMMENDATIONS FINANCE COMMITTEE
ARTICLE 7. To see if the Town will authorize the Board of Assessors to use the amount of $10,000.00 from available funds to reduce the tax rate.
The committee recommends approval of this article.
ARTICLE 8. To see if the Town will vote to accept the provisions of 'Chapter 624 Acts of 1952 which provide for an increase in the amounts of pensions and retirement allowances payable to certain former public employees.
The committee recommends approval of this article.
ARTICLE 9. To see if the Town will authorize the Board of Select- men and their successors in office to sell at Public or Private sale, any of the property which the Town may have acquired or may hereafter acquire through proceedings based upon non payment of taxes or under proceedings for sale of land of low values, to impose upon the property so sold such restrictions, reservations or conditions as shall be deemed expedient, and to execute and deliver in the name of the Town and under the Seal of the Town, quit claim deeds or other instruments therefor.
No recommendation necessary.
ARTICLE 10. On petition of the Chief of Police, - To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $1,000.00 which together with the exchange value of the present 1951 Ford Police car is to be expended for the purchase of a new Police Cruiser, for the use of the Police Department, to be purchased by the Board of Selectmen as provided in the By-Laws agreeable to the petition of the Chief of Police.
The committee recommends approval of this article as read.
ARTICLE 11. On petition of George A. Trayer and 39 others. To see if the Town will vote, under the authority of Chapter 164 Section 56 of the General Laws of Massachusetts, to direct the Municipal Light Department to erect or install at proper or standard intervals, electric street lights in the area running from the North Andover line and thence southeasterly to a point on North Main Street where lights running northwesterly thereon terminate.
No recommendation necessary.
108
RECOMMENDATIONS FINANCE COMMITTEE
ARTICLE 12. To see if the Town will vote to appropriate the sum of $1,500.00 to be used in conjunction with funds appropriated by the Town of Danvers to complete an Aerial Survey of the Town of Middleton.
No recommendation necessary.
ARTICLE 13. To see if the Town will vote to instruct the Planning Board to survey the names on all Streets in Town and to recom- mend changes of the names of any Streets that are duplicated or similar at the next Town Meeting.
No recommendation necessary.
ARTICLE 15. To see what action the Town wishes to take regard- ing 'the operation or disposal of the Town Hall.
No recommendation necessary.
ARTICLE 15. To hear and act on the report of the Firehouse Com- mittee authorized to report at this Town Meeting by a vote at a Special Town Meeting held September 30, 1952.
No recommendation necessary.
ARTICLE 16. To see if the Town will vote to raise and appropriate the sum of $68,000.00 to build a new Fire Station and Highway Building and to originally equip and furnish the same; and to provide for the raising of such sum of money, by taxation, by appropriation, from available funds in the treasury, or by the issue of Bonds and notes in accordance with the provisions of Section 7, Chapter 44 of the General Laws: or to take any other action relating thereto, agreeable to the petition of the Firehouse Survey Committee.
The committee recommends approval of this article as read.
ARTICLE 17. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Moder- ator to appoint a Fire Station and Highway Building Committee, or to authorize the existing Firehouse Survey Committee to act as a Building Committee to build a Fire Station and Highway Building and to originally equip and furnish the same, to enter into all necessary contracts for this purpose, and to exercise on behalf of the Town all other powers necessary and incidental, to the principal authority to build, equip and furnish such building; or to take any other action relating thereto.
No recommendation necessary.
-
109
RECOMMENDATIONS FINANCE COMMITTEE
ARTICLE 18. To see if the Town will vote to accept a parcel of land from the Library Trustees, to furnish proper entrance to the New Fire Station. Said parcel being a portion of the Library Lot, and bounded and described as follows; Beginning at the northwesterly corner of said Library Lot adjacent to land of the Town of Middleton on which the Fire Station is now standing, thence running South 85°-48 ft. 25 in. East along Lake Street ninety-four and eighty-three one hundredths (94.83) to a corner (35) thirty-five feet westerly from a drill hole in a stone bound, thence running south 61° - 03 ft. - 30 west one hundred and nine and sixty-three one hundredths (109.63) feet on said Library Lot to a corner at the land of the Town of Middleton, thence running north 1º - 17 ft. - 55 in. east along said Town of Middleton land sixty (60) feet to a corner and point of beginning on Lake Street or take any other action in relation thereto.
No recommendation necessary.
ARTICLE 19. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Fire Station and Highway Building Committee to offer the present Fire Station Building for sale to a building wrecker; and to have the premises cleared preparatory to erection of the new building; or to take any other action relating thereto.
No recommendation necessary.
ARTICLE 20. To see if the Town will vote to authorize the Board of Selectmen to deed a certain parcel of land on Central Street, Middleton, described as Parcel No. 1 and containing approximately 86 sq. ft. as shown on a plan of land in said Middleton, Mass. dated September 22, 1952 by R. W. Bixby C.E. This parcel to be deeded to H. K. Richardson of So. Main Street in exchange for a certain parcel of land owned by the same H. K. Richardson.
No recommendation necessary.
The following three Articles were referred to this Annual Meet- ing from the December Special Meeting:
ARTICLE 21. To see if the Town will vote to amend the Building By-Laws by striking out the schedule of FEES listed in Section 7 and insert in place thereof the following SCHEDULE OF FEES: For a permit for the erection of a single dwelling $5.00
For each twin or duplex dwelling 7.50
For each additional apartment 2.50
For each single story store 3.00
No recommendation necessary.
110
RECOMMENDATIONS FINANCE COMMITTEE
For each block of such stores
For the first store
3.00
For each additional store 2.00
For each garage of not more than two cars 1.00
For each additional car .50
For alterations
For the first $1,000.00 of cost 2.00
For each additional $1,000.00 of cost 1.00
For any building for any other business or use For each $1,000.00 of cost 1.00
For razing or moving a building
1.00
No recommendation necessary.
ARTICLE 22. To see if the Town will vote to amend the Building By-Laws by striking out the first sentence of Section 4, and insert- ing in place thereof the following:
No building within the limits of the Town of Middleton shall be erected, razed or moved, and no roof shall be re-shingled, and no chimney shall be erected or altered, and no addition or altera- tions of a building shall be made by any person unless he shall first file with the Inspector plans and specifications or a full description of the proposed work.
No recommendation necessary.
ARTICLE 23. To see if the Town will vote to amend the Building By-Laws by striking out Section 31 "PENALTY" and inserting in place thereof the following "PENALTY". Any person who violates any provision of this By-Law shall be subject to a fine of Twenty Dollars for each offense, which shall be recovered as provided by Law and shall enure to the Town. Each day that such violation continues shall constitute and be considered a separte offense.
No recommendation necessary.
111
RECOMMENDATIONS FINANCE COMMITTEE
Schedule A RECOMMENDATIONS UNDER ARTICLE 6
Average Item Expended
Expended
No.
1949-1951
1952
Recom- mended 1953
GENERAL GOVERNMENT-5.2% OF TOTAL
1.
$ 50.00
$ 50.00
Moderator
$ 50.00
Finance Committee:
2.
20.00
21.25
Expense
30.00
Selectmen:
3.
750.00
900.00
Salaries and Wages
900.00
4.
304.46
331.07
Expense
450.00
5.
166.66
250.00
Clerk
250.00
Town Accounant:
6.
700.00
900.00
Salaries and Wages
900.00
7.
63.63
88.53
Expense
100.00
Treasurer:
8.
700.00
900.00
Salaries and Wages
900.00
9.
366.50
395.79
Expense
677.50
10.
181.25
255.90
Tax Title Expense
350.00
Tax Collector:
11.
700.00
900.00
Salaries and Wages
900.00
12.
464.37
738.16
Expense
857.50
Assessors:
13.
1,500.00
1,500.00
Salaries and Wages
1,500.00
14.
580.00
896.12
Expense
700.00
Law:
15.
523.88
600.00
Salary
600.00
Clerk:
16.
400.00
400.00
Salary
400.00
17.
69.06
116.22
Expense
78.50
18.
140.00
220.00
Salaries and Wages
100.00
19.
287.42
684.63
Expense 250.00
Planning Board: Expense
200.00
Town Hall:
21
730.00
730.00
Salaries and Wages
180.00
22.
761.15
556.22
Expense
250.00
20.
185.87
142.50
Elections and Registrations:
112
RECOMMENDATIONS FINANCE COMMITTEE
Average Expended Expended
No.
1949-1951
1952
Memorial Hall:
23.
223.33
300.00
Salaries and Wages
360.00
24.
953.60
1,495.44
Expense
1,500.00
25
188.21
107.45
Office Alterations
700.00
26.
$13,479.28 Total-General Government .. $12,983.50 PROTECTION OF PERSONS AND PROPERTY 6.4% OF TOTAL
Police:
27
$2,957.00
$3,640.00
Salary of Chief
$3,710.00
28.
1,300.07
1,500.00
Wages of Reserve Officers .
1,830.00
29.
1,791.61
1,609.27
Expense (keeping old car)
2,032.00
30.
Expense (using new car)
1,582.00
31.
35.00
35.00
Salary of Constable
35.00
32.
6,884.27
Total-old car
7,607.00
33.
Total-new car
7,157.00
Fire:
34.
722.00
815.00
Salaries
815.00
35.
4,160.28
4,185.87
Wages and Expense
4,205.00
36.
5,000.87
Total
5,020.00
Building Inspector:
37.
266.66
300.00
Salary
400.00
38.
53.50
75.00
Expense
150.00
Board of Appeals:
39.
65.37
164.99
Expense
285.00
Wire Inspector:
40.
33.33
100.00
Salary
200.00
41.
9.59
31.96
Expense
50.00
Sealer of Weights and Measures:
42.
125.00
125.00
Salary and Wages
125.00
43.
49.11
75.00
Expense
25.00
Forestry :
44.
1,200.00
1,198.81
Moth
1,200.00
45.
1,045.54
2,489.61
Tree
1,000.00
46.
133.33
500.00
Dutch Elm Disease Control
500.00
47.
48.
192.80
149.09
Civilian Defense:
Total-Protection of Persons
and Property
$16,412.00
.
49.
$17,094.60
Planting Trees
300.00
Recom- mended 1953
Item
113
RECOMMENDATIONS FINANCE COMMITTEE
Average Item Expended Expended No.
1949-1951 1952
Recom- mended 1953
HEALTH AND SANITATION 1.5% OF TOTAL
50.
$1,622.78
$2,090.11
Board of Health-Expense ..
$2,000.00
51.
233.00
499.57
Dental Clinic
1,500.00
52.
500.00
Dental Clinic Equipment
53.
200.00
200.00
Inspector of Cattle-Salary ..
200.00
54.
100.00
100.00
Inspector of Slaughtering
100.00
55.
$3,389.68
Total-Health and Sanitation
3,800.00
HIGHWAYS-10.1% OF TOTAL
56.
3,120.00
Salary of Highway Surveyor (From available Dept. funds)
$3,120.00
57.
3,149.19
3,655.03
Road Machinery Account 4,500.00
(Transfer from Rd. Mach. fund)
58.
3,827.79
3,645.82
Highways-General Fund
4,500.00
59.
4,800.00
4,800.00
Chapt. 81 Maint. 4,800.00
60.
2,000.00
2,000.00
Chap. 90 Const.
2,000.00
9,139.35
Total Spent, Incl. State & County
61.
2,000.00
1,000.00
Chap. 90 Maint.
2,000.00
62.
6,044.67
7,131.62
Total Spent, Incl. State Snow Removal
7,500.00
63.
35.66
Land Taking-Essex St.
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